NASA's new director takes oath on Carl Sagan book instead of Bible

NASA’s newly appointed director, Mackenzie Lystrup, on Thursday ditched the Bible and took her oath on a copy of Carl Sagan’s book instead. 

Lystrup became the first woman to be appointed director of the Goddard Space Flight Center On Thursday. She took her oath on a copy of Carl Sagan’s 1994 book Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space, straying from the conventional practice of using the Bible. 

While other officeholders across the nation have used documents other than the Bible to be sworn in, such as the U.S. Constitution, a book by Dr. Suess, or the Quran, this is the first time someone used a book by Sagan.

Dr. Makenzie Lystrup getting sworn in as Director of @NASAGoddard Space Flight Center using Carl Sagan's 'Pale Blue Dot' is just everything. 😍 pic.twitter.com/VClQGtf4oU

— Dr. Jessie Christiansen (@aussiastronomer) April 6, 2023

“I’m humbled and honored to lead such an amazing and diverse world-renowned team,” Lystrup said during the ceremony.

“To build upon our legacy, I’m keenly focused on growing the next generation of innovators along with ensuring our team has the resources and tools to advance technologies and make new discoveries that boost the space economy and benefit us all,” she added. 

The Goddard Space Flight Center is one of NASA’s largest field centers, with more than 10,000 employees working at its offices in Maryland. Many of the employees at the location—scientists, engineers, and technologists—dedicate their lives work to Earth and space science. 

“Makenzie is a natural leader, bringing to Goddard a scientist’s drive for discovery along with a wealth of industry experience and knowledge,” said the space agency’s administrator Bill Nelson.

“As center’s director, she will lead a world-renowned team of scientists, engineers, and technologists focused on Earth and space science,” he added. “Under her leadership, the Goddard workforce will continue to inspire, innovate, and explore the unknown for the benefit of all.”

Before joining NASA, Lystrup was vice president and general manager of civil space at Ball Aerospace, where she was responsible for the company’s portfolio of civil space systems that span across all science fields, operational weather and Earth observation, as well as advanced technologies development objectives, according to NASA’s website.